The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)
The biographical film, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), is based on Roger Lewis’s book and follows the journey of English comedian, Peter Sellers. It begins with him walking up to a director’s chair, before the unseen live audience breaks into applause. In 1950s London, he is already a well-known performer on The Goon Show but struggles to make a mark in film. After a disappointing audition, he seeks comfort at home with his family but receives pushy advice from his overbearing mother Peg to ‘bite the hand that feeds you’. Inspired by her words, Peter taps into his talent for impersonation and impresses with his portrayal of an elderly World War I veteran character during a second audition. Ultimately, the casting agent, who had previously rejected him, concedes that he is perfect for the role and reluctantly gives it to him.
Peter is honored with a British Academy Award for his work in ‘I’m All Right Jack’. Peg and their father, Bill (played by Peter Vaughan), watch proudly as he delivers his acceptance speech. However, Peg shows little interest and Bill, feeling dejected, walks away. This marks the beginning of a shift in the film, as Peter’s character now embodies that of his own father. In a heavy Yorkshire accent, he breaks the fourth wall to share details about his childhood. As production for ‘The Millionairess’ approaches, Peter finds himself enamored with co-star Sophia Loren, causing strain in his marriage to Anne. His children also bear witness to their father’s outbursts and are subsequently showered with lavish gifts as compensation. When Sophia mentions that Peter lives too far from London, he takes it as a sign to purchase a home in the heart of the city.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Geoffrey RushPeter Sellers  Charlize TheronBritt Ekland  Emily WatsonAnne Sellers  John LithgowBlake Edwards  Miriam MargolyesPeg Sellers  Peter VaughanBill Sellers  Sonia AquinoSophia Loren  Stanley TucciStanley Kubrick  Stephen FryMaurice Woodruff |
The biographical film, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), is based on Roger Lewis’s book and follows the journey of English comedian, Peter Sellers. It begins with him walking up to a director’s chair, before the unseen live audience breaks into applause. In 1950s London, he is already a well-known performer on The Goon Show but struggles to make a mark in film. After a disappointing audition, he seeks comfort at home with his family but receives pushy advice from his overbearing mother Peg to ‘bite the hand that feeds you’. Inspired by her words, Peter taps into his talent for impersonation and impresses with his portrayal of an elderly World War I veteran character during a second audition. Ultimately, the casting agent, who had previously rejected him, concedes that he is perfect for the role and reluctantly gives it to him.
Peter is honored with a British Academy Award for his work in ‘I’m All Right Jack’. Peg and their father, Bill (played by Peter Vaughan), watch proudly as he delivers his acceptance speech. However, Peg shows little interest and Bill, feeling dejected, walks away. This marks the beginning of a shift in the film, as Peter’s character now embodies that of his own father. In a heavy Yorkshire accent, he breaks the fourth wall to share details about his childhood. As production for ‘The Millionairess’ approaches, Peter finds himself enamored with co-star Sophia Loren, causing strain in his marriage to Anne. His children also bear witness to their father’s outbursts and are subsequently showered with lavish gifts as compensation. When Sophia mentions that Peter lives too far from London, he takes it as a sign to purchase a home in the heart of the city.
